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Usenet Posted 19 years ago
Usage
Spelled or spelt?
Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?
Alasdair.
Alasdair.
Top answer
[/nq] I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar. Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on its way out, too.
- [/nq] I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.
- Learnt is in the same boat.
- "Lit" is probably on its way out, too.
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26 Answers
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[nq:1]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.
Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on its way out, too.
I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.
Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on its way out, too.
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[nq:1]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
The short answer is: they are both correct.
The short answer is: they are both correct.
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[nq:1]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
Both, although some subscribe to "spelt" being used only as a simple past form, whilst others claim it should only be used to form the present/past perfect.
Wait until some petty style manual takes sides then the Yanks amongst us will start screaming that that is the only p
Both, although some subscribe to "spelt" being used only as a simple past form, whilst others claim it should only be used to form the present/past perfect.
Wait until some petty style manual takes sides then the Yanks amongst us will start screaming that that is the only p
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In the UK, "spelt", "learnt", "burnt", etc are the common way of spelling. But Americans treat the regular and irregular forms differently. As a verb, they almost always use them in regular form. Look at the examples below:
You've spelled my name wrong.
I learned to drive when I was 17.
But, when they use them as modifiers (adjectives), they tend to use the irregular form:
Students
You've spelled my name wrong.
I learned to drive when I was 17.
But, when they use them as modifiers (adjectives), they tend to use the irregular form:
Students
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Either are correct. Spelt is simply considered "old english" and is less used in America. But both are correct.
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[nq:2]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.[/nq]
Unless he's talking about fish...
[nq:1]Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on its wa
[nq:1]I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.[/nq]
Unless he's talking about fish...
[nq:1]Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on its wa
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[nq:2]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.[/nq]
Arrgh. Grain, not fish. That's "smelt"
[nq:1]Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on i
[nq:1]I think that both are correct, but in the US a speaker using "spelt" is likely to see a few eyebrows raised, since here the irregular pp tends to be less familiar.[/nq]
Arrgh. Grain, not fish. That's "smelt"
[nq:1]Learnt is in the same boat. "Lit" is probably on i
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[nq:1]In the UK, "spelt", "learnt", "burnt", etc are the common way of spelling. But Americans treat the regular and irregular forms differently.[/nq]
I'm afraid that's not true. US English is every bit as likely to bow to the influence of Germanic usage.
I'm afraid that's not true. US English is every bit as likely to bow to the influence of Germanic usage.
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[nq:1]Can someone please tell me the correct usage "I have spelled it correctly" or "I have spelt it correctly"?[/nq]
Spellt or spelt is incorrect. They go back to a spelling reform during the Teddy Roosevelt era. It failed.
Forget British objections. They lost WWII. The USA and USSR won.
GFH
Spellt or spelt is incorrect. They go back to a spelling reform during the Teddy Roosevelt era. It failed.
Forget British objections. They lost WWII. The USA and USSR won.
GFH
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[nq:1]In the UK, "spelt", "learnt", "burnt", etc are the common way of spelling. But Americans treat the regular and irregular ... tend to use the irregular form: Students, you should underline the wrongly-spelt words. I don't like burnt food. Regards, Farhad[/nq]
In the U.S., those irregular forms learned from Brits are taking over. I hear them, and see them in new fiction, and it drives me n
In the U.S., those irregular forms learned from Brits are taking over. I hear them, and see them in new fiction, and it drives me n
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